Tobago church leaders fail to ban Elton John

A group of Christian church leaders have failed to ban a performance by Elton John on the island of Tobago, after the island’s House of Assembly dismissed their call.

John, who is due to perform at the Plymouth Jazz Festival in April, married his partner David Furnish in 2005, and according to some Christian church groups his homosexuality could have a “negative social impact” on the island’s young people.

Speaking to Reuters, Pastor Terrence Baynes said “There are some who may not be sure of their sexuality and one has to be careful about how this can create impressions on impressionable minds”.

However, the group’s call to ban the performance was denied by officials on the island with organisers CL Communications’ Anthony Maharaj quoted as saying “He is not coming here to preach about what lifestyle people should have”.